PA Chairman Abbas hurried to condemn the horrific terror attacks yesterday in Sri Lanka, where 290 people were murdered in suicide attacks apparently carried out by an Islamic terror group. Abbas' condemnation does not come as a surprise, as it is his habit to condemn terror when it takes place abroad - as opposed to his lack of condemnation of terror against Israelis.

Following the tragedy in Sri Lanka, which he called "criminal and gruesome," Abbas called on the world to combat terror together:

"Terrorism is spreading as an epidemic across the world. I call on the countries of the world to cooperate to eradicate terrorism and not to tolerate with racist groups that incite violence and hatred."

[WAFA, official PA news agency (English edition), April 21, 2019]

Abbas' call to combat terror stands in stark contrast to his repeated vows at home to continue his financial support for imprisoned terrorists, released terrorists, wounded terrorists, and the families of dead terrorists - no matter what. Abbas has reiterated over and over that the PA will support these terrorists even if the PA has only "one penny left," and has demonstrated his will to do so by cutting salaries of public employees rather than salaries to the terrorists in order to sustain the PA's current financial crisis.

Abbas' response to the terror in Sri Lanka is strikingly similar to his recent outreach speech to American university students:

"We will not choose a path other than negotiations... We believe in peace and believe in security for everyone... We made agreements with 83 states in the world... on one issue: the war on terror in the world, terror in all its forms, variations, and sources."

[Official PA TV, March 24, 2019]

However, Palestinian Media Watch exposed the Palestinian leader's hypocrisy. The day before Abbas' speech, his Fatah deputy Mahmoud Al-Aloul announced to Palestinians that terrorist Omar Abu Laila - who murdered two Israelis a week earlier - "represents all young Palestinians," and that Abbas' own Fatah Movement is "proud" of him:

"We are extremely proud, this is Omar Abu Laila, who implemented his choice, who implemented the people's choice... through which he represents all of you, represents all young Palestinians."

The following is the report on Abbas' condemnation of the attacks in Sri Lanka:

Headline: "President Abbas condemns Sri Lanka terror attacks"

"President Mahmoud Abbas today condemned the terrorist bombing attacks that targeted three churches and two luxury hotels in Sri Lanka earlier today, which resulted in the killing or injury of dozens of innocent civilians.

Describing the attacks as 'criminal and gruesome,' Abbas offered condolences to the people and President of Sri Lanka as well as to the bereaved families. He also wished an immediate recovery of the wounded.

'Terrorism is spreading as an epidemic across the world. I call on the countries of the world to cooperate to eradicate terrorism and not to tolerate with racist groups that incite violence and hatred,' he said in an official statement."